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    HomeEventsAppalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity

        
  
Appalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity
	
			October 06, 2021, 8:30 AM
                          - October 06, 2021, 1:30 PMARC EVENT
		
					

Conference
          Webinar
	
				
	
	
	On October 6, 2021, ARC presented our annual conference, *Appalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity*, to more than 500 Appalachians. At the conference, we unveiled **ARC’s new strategic plan**, which will turn feedback from community conversations, focus groups, and a public survey into actionable investment strategies that emphasize Appalachia’s strengths and will help communities overcome economic challenges.

The **virtual conference**, co-hosted with the Commonwealth of Virginia, also featured ARC partners who work daily to**strengthen Appalachia** through sectors like outdoor recreation, entrepreneurship development, and leadership and community capacity. We are excited to share their stories with you all here!

Appalachia Envisioned: A Conversation to Kickoff a New Era







	


  
Spotlight 1          
                      Preserving and Promoting Our Region’s Nature and Culture
          
                      Appalachian communities of any size can find economic opportunity in the outdoors. To fully reap benefits, communities must plan holistically. Vibrant downtowns with food and lodging, infrastructure, and preservation are all key to a thriving tourism ecosystem. Learn more about outdoor recreation planning in this session, so your community can create jobs, attract new businesses, and increase quality of life for community members.
          
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Spotlight 2          
                      Sparking Innovation through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
          
                      Entrepreneurship is a critical pathway to economic opportunity in Appalachia. To help entrepreneurs thrive, communities need environments that cultivate creativity, equip startups with necessary tools, and provide access to capital. Beyond traditional business development, panelists show how impact investors and supporting technical assistance providers find new ways to measure return on investment and build sustainable non-profits by supporting social enterprises.
          
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Spotlight 3          
                      Inspiring Strength with Leadership and Community Capacity
          
                      Behind strong communities are passionate leaders with the capacity to innovate, collaborate, and create change. ARC’s Appalachian Leadership Institute was designed to help leaders, from all walks of life, develop those skills. During this session, hear how program alumni are using leadership skills and capacity-building strategies to strengthen their Appalachian communities.
          
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Appalachian Governors Envision the Region        Since July, Appalachia’s 13 governors and ARC’s Federal Co-Chairs shared their visions for creating opportunities and resilience in the Region through a bipartisan op-ed series.
							
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      Appalachia Envisioned: ARC’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
																				
																	

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      About the Appalachian Region
																				
																	

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      About the Appalachian Regional Commission Appalachian Regional Commission

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